Marikina pips Cebu

JPV-Marikina won its first-ever home match in the country’s shoe capital while the Davao Aguilas battled back from a two-goal deficit to salvage a draw in the opener of the Philippines Football League’s second season over the weekend.

Keigo Moriyasu and Ryuki Kozawa found the back of the net and JPV beat last season’s runner-up Global-Cebu, 2-1, Saturday at the Marikina Sports Complex in a game that made the Japanese-flavored feel right at home after they hosted matches at the Rizal Memorial Stadium and in Binan, Laguna.

Moriyasu put JPV ahead in the 13th minute but it took late in the second half to double the lead courtesy of Kozawa in the 75th, much to the delight of the jubilant crowd.

Dominick del Rosario scored a consolation goal near stoppage time for Global, which played despite a hectic schedule that includes tomorrow’s AFC Cup away match against Burmese side Yangon United.

Over in Tagum City, James Younghusband scored twice in the second half and Davao forged a 2-all tie with Kaya-Iloilo at the Davao del Norte Sports Complex.

Kaya, which moved to Iloilo after playing in Makati City the previous campaign, took a 2-0 lead on goals from Alfred Osei and Connor Tacagni but Younghusband got the Aguilas back with goals in the 51st and 58th.